Murton Cenotaph And Children of Mothers
Statue In Seaham, County Durham
A serene sculpture by Ray Lonsdale, positioned eloquently by The Cenotaph in Murton, near Seaham.
Many of you will be familiar with the artworks of Ray Lonsdale and like me, much admire the sculptures and prose that accompanies them. Their setting is always relevant as is this artwork by the Cenotaph in Murton. It is called Children of Mothers and formed with Corten Steel which reacts with moisture and rusts giving a nice patina.
Some photos were taken at Ray Lonsdale's Workshop some in the early stages in situ, and some in late January 2024 where the rustic look is apparent. Thanks go to Paul Levitt for sharing some super photographs.
This village green is a perfect setting and can offer solace, as you can spend time reflecting whilst sitting on one of the benches. Although it is by the main road, it is good for passing traffic to notice.
The Mother is now elderly and her head is slightly bent as she steadies herself with a walking stick. The lace hankie suggests she could have shed a tear or two and her eyes are closed. This lady probably had just the one handbag that she kept for years.
She is wearing a headscarf in the style known as Babushka. It is a large square of silk/silk-like material that is folded into a triangle, then put over the hair and tied under the chin. It would protect against some of the elements for example the smog, and keep the hair clean. Babushka means elderly woman in Russian.
The hole through her heart lines up with an inscription on the Cenotaph which Ray confirms was by design.
As a tribute and as an exercise to increase awareness this lady went on a tour. Children Of Mothers was captured by Paul Levitt who has kindly agreed to share some of his photos of the tour.
The prose that Ray has composed has an empathic tone.
When the shadows of my life run long, And the night airs chill bites colder
When the tune I hum is a farewell song, And I won't be getting older
When I view the world through cataract eyes, And what I see I've seen before
When I grow weary of this mothers cries
Will I see my child once more.
No Dulce et decorum est, No pro patria mori
Just a violent road to eternal rest
And a fading wartime story Of bravery and gallant deeds
As they charged and broke their cover, I wonder as they fell face down
Did they cry out for their mother,
And when politicians die in their beds
On a clean, dry cotton sheet, I pray that it torments their heads
That the ones they sent, they'll meet.
The unveiling took place on Saturday 11th November 2023.
There are lots of Mr Lonsdale's signature markings. See if you can spot them.
Next to the statue is the Cenotaph which is a war memorial made from Aberdeen Granite with bronze reliefs. Before the Boer Wars, war memorials were usually a celebration and could feature the 'Winged Goddess of Victory' or the 'Triumphant Youth' Later they became more for remembrance.
In Latin Cenotaph means Empty Tomb.
At the top are shields with the cross of St. George representing valour around. Below the crosses are laurel wreaths which are referred to as swags by the Imperial War Museum. On one side the bronze long sword is pointing downwards and represents the loss of life in battle.
Laurel wreaths featured can symbolise ongoing life and or victory.
This cenotaph was first unveiled in 1922 for the First World War and rededicated in 1947 for the Second World War.
The names of those who served their country and lost their lives are inscribed around the base.
There is a nice tribute to a local man William McNally who served in both wars and survived.
The plaque details his fascinating heroics Please find time to read it.
Get 2 points if you have visited this place. Already visited by 32 VIPs.
Login to the VIP area to add places to your bucket list, mark them as visited and more importantly see where you rank on the league table.
How To Find Murton Cenotaph And Children of Mothers
Where Is Murton Cenotaph And Children of Mothers?
Lat / Long
54.817122, -1.397729
What three words
Where To Park For Murton Cenotaph And Children of Mothers?
Lat / Long
54.816987, 54.816987
What three words
Parking is available on the street around the Cenotaph.
Contributed by Rosalind Parker
Thanks for reading through and getting to the end of this post. I enjoy exploring the Fabulous North (Especially as a Southerner residing up North). I like 'snippets' of information, and more so, if they are obscure, amusing or meaningful. The photographs are taken on a mobile phone, without any enhancements.
More Places from RosalindMore Places In Seaham
Find more fabulous places in Seaham, County Durham and if you know of a place we haven't listed, then let us know.
Beacon Hill North Trig Point
Trig Point Seaham County DurhamThe Beacon Hill North trig point overlooks the North Sea (87m) near Seaham.
Eleven O One
Statue Seaham County DurhamA statue of a British infantryman commemorating the end of World War 1.
The Howitzer Gun
Military Seaham County DurhamA 5.5 inch Howitzer Gun to celebrate Seaham's links to the Royal Artillery and coastal defence during WWII.
More Statues
So this statue wasn't enough and you want more? Don't worry we have you covered.
Solidarity Miners Statue
Statue Ushaw Moor County DurhamAn arresting piece of steel art by Stanson Art (Ron Lawson) and Mark Burns Cassell commemorating the coal industry in the area.
Heritage Blues (The Pitman)
Statue Durham County DurhamA Miner kneeling testing the air with his safety lamp, by Ray Lonsdale.
William Wallace Statue
Statue Melrose BordersA red sandstone statue of William Wallace overlooking the River Tweed Valley near Melrose.
Never Miss A Fabulous Place
If you are afraid of missing out on all the fabulous places we post, or just want to be the first to know, then sign up to the Fabulous North.
Each week we will email you all the brand new places that we visit.
Sign Up To AlertsFind Us On Facebook
We post all our new places daily on our Facebook Groups page, so join the group today and be notified when we add a new place.
Join Our Facebook GroupMurton Cenotaph And Children of Mothers was listed in Statue // County Durham // Seaham